We came upon this restaurant because we just had a happy hour at Patta Notte (buy 1 get 1 martini) and were hungry after. I know this is not on the east side again, but thought you maybe interested in the other BLT restaurants since I talked about BLT prime earlier in the blog. The specialty of this restaurant is its fresh local ingredients. The place had really good herb filled warm bread, we had to ask for seconds. For appetizers, we got the rock fish risotto, not your typical risotto. The texture has a very foamy sauce and fresh tasting with some shredded truffles on top. For entrees I got the black cod, it tasted so buttery and the “celeriac puree” was very different and good. Jason got the braised lamb shank where the meat was marinated perfectly and the meat was cooked perfectly and so tender with the meat falling off the bone. I forgot what kinda of dessert we got, but it looked like a cupcake with ice cream on the side, the taste i remembered was very different and delicious.

juicy pigs in a buttery, flaky blanket with sauerkraut

I love the obvious absurdity of a laid-back “market” restaurant on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton on Central Park.  A dear friend, in from London and staying at the Ritz, took me (and now well-known blog characters Lucy and Erin) to dinner there Wednesday night.  The concept is farmhouse, seasonal eating, at Central Park South prices.  After all, this is Laurent Tourondel’s take on fresh market eating.  

The food was fantastic, if incredibly rich.  Here are some shots of the evening’s meal, which was enhanced by the chef’s generous sendout of about 10 extra courses.  Oh, how we all benefit from Erin’s charm.  My favorite was the simple but perfect pigs in a blanket that they sent out with the fresh garlic bread, a rather robust take on the “amuse bouche.”  

a beautiful burrata with sweet roasted tomatoes

nice presentation of steak tartare

amazing swordfish, and yes, I know it looks like a blob.

berries and cream..with luscious pistachio macaroons

BLT Market, located in the Ritz-Carlton Central Park, only serves until 10PM most days, and 9:30 Sun-Mon (since when was CPS the burbs?)

For more info on the restaurant, click here.